Influence of predeformation on ageing in an Al–Zn–Mg alloy—I. Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties

We investigate the ageing kinetics of a ternary Al–Zn–Mg alloy, and the coupling between prestraining and subsequent ageing. The precipitation sequence is investigated using DSC. The microstructure is followed using TEM and Small-Angle X-ray Scattering, and the hardening resulting from precipitation studied by hardness measurements. The effect of prestraining depends significantly on the parameters of the thermomechanical treatment, and has to …